Two Lumbertons miles apart help each other in time of need

LUMBERTON, N.J. (WPVI) -- It's a tale of two cities tonight.

Lumberton, New Jersey is trying to appeal to its citizens to come to the aid of the people of Hurricane Matthew ravaged Lumberton, North Carolina.

The inventory of donated relief supplies is already growing on day one of the collection drive in Lumberton Township, New Jersey.

They're being collected by the officials of the town for their flood-ravaged sister city, Lumberton, North Carolina, which has been devastated by the swollen Lumber River.

It all stems from Hurricane Matthew's rampage; the North Carolina town of more than 25,000 is hurting.

"They need cleaning supplies, baby formula, baby food, senior items such as personal hygiene items, some Ensure, stuff like that," emergency coordinator Ed Begolly said.

Lumberton, New Jersey is responding to the crisis in North Carolina because the North Carolinians have come through for the South Jersey town time and again when the Rancocas Creek severely soaked Lumberton, N.J., especially when flood waters hit the town in 2004. But there has been major flooding since, in 2007, in 2011 with Superstorm Sandy, and again in 2014.

Local flood victims remember and want to give back.

"I know what they're going through. They helped us out. We're helping them out. We go by there all the time when we go down to Florida, stop in there because of Lumberton," Bill Webster of Lumberton, N.J. said.

For day one, township officials say they are doing OK, but they feel donations will pour in over the weekend.

"They helped us out when we've been trouble, now we're going to help them out," Pat Wolf of Lumberton, N.J. said.

The collection drive for Lumberton, North Carolina will continue through October 21st.

The lobby of the Lumeberton Township Building will be open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily through that Friday night.